Avalanche in MT claims 1
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 4:38 amAlthough the person killed was not a climber or skier or snowboarder or ice climber or snowshoer, I think this report is still relevant. There is a very wet storm in MT now, dumping a lot of wet heavy snow on a weak layer buried 3 feet down. It is certain to cause avalanches!
Lets make sure it is not one of us caught up in one!
My condolences to the family of the snowmobiler who lost his life in this tragic event.
Best Regards;
Tim
Place: Scotch Bonnet Mountain near Cooke City
State: MT
Country: USA
Fatalities: 1
Summary: 1 snowmobiler caught, buried, and killed
*** INITIAL REPORT FROM THE GNFAC ***
"On Sunday, January 3rd, a snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche on Scotch Bonnet Mountain near Lulu Pass. He was riding up a narrow slope bordered by trees when he triggered the slide. The slope was tracked up from previous riders. He was on a lower angled part of the slope, about halfway up, when it released. He was carried and buried 2 feet deep and pushed against trees. His partner located him quickly with a beacon, but it took 40 minutes and two others to help dig to fully extricate him. He was tangled in tree branches. The slide broke on a layer of facets 2 feet deep, was 100 feet wide and ran 1,000 feet slope distance. The steepest part of the slope, near the crown, was 35 degrees. A full report will be coming soon. Our condolences and sympathies go out to his family, friends and riding partner."
Video from avalanche site: www.mtavalanche.com
Photos: www.mtavalanche.com
edit: to note you have to click on the "VIDEO" button on the left column of the GNFAC web page to see the video analysis.
Lets make sure it is not one of us caught up in one!
My condolences to the family of the snowmobiler who lost his life in this tragic event.
Best Regards;
Tim
Place: Scotch Bonnet Mountain near Cooke City
State: MT
Country: USA
Fatalities: 1
Summary: 1 snowmobiler caught, buried, and killed
*** INITIAL REPORT FROM THE GNFAC ***
"On Sunday, January 3rd, a snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche on Scotch Bonnet Mountain near Lulu Pass. He was riding up a narrow slope bordered by trees when he triggered the slide. The slope was tracked up from previous riders. He was on a lower angled part of the slope, about halfway up, when it released. He was carried and buried 2 feet deep and pushed against trees. His partner located him quickly with a beacon, but it took 40 minutes and two others to help dig to fully extricate him. He was tangled in tree branches. The slide broke on a layer of facets 2 feet deep, was 100 feet wide and ran 1,000 feet slope distance. The steepest part of the slope, near the crown, was 35 degrees. A full report will be coming soon. Our condolences and sympathies go out to his family, friends and riding partner."
Video from avalanche site: www.mtavalanche.com
Photos: www.mtavalanche.com
edit: to note you have to click on the "VIDEO" button on the left column of the GNFAC web page to see the video analysis.